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It was great to return to Tulsa for the Governor’s Water Conference in
November. Once again, we had an extraordinary turnout and stimulating
discourse on Oklahoma’s water issues. Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr., and
Dayton Duncan, principle writer and co-producer of the newly released
Dust Bowl documentary, got the conference off to a wonderful start, and
our unique “roundtable” sessions highlighted a particularly diverse agenda.
It has been an eventful year since unanimous OWRB approval of the 2012
Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). Many
OCWP recommendations that originated from the public input process are
now being implemented due to tremendous support from Governor Fallin
4th Quarter 2012
Annual Report of OWRB
Activities for 2012
Initial OCWP Implementation
Water for 2060 Advisory Council
Passage of State Question 764
Water Monitoring and Analysis
Instream Flow Workgroup
OCWP Planning Guide
Water Use Permitting
Hydrologic Studies
Floodplain Management
Well Driller Program
Dam Safety
Water Quality Standards
Lake Rehabilitation
2012 Governor’s Water
Conference
Financial Assistance Programs
Legal Developments
FY 12 Expenditures/FY 13 Budget
Drought Update
(continued on page 2)
Annual Report of OWRB Activities for 2012
Initial Implementation of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan
State Legislative leaders responded positively to the 2012 Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive
Water Plan, providing both substantive water policy legislation and funding for implementation.
As a result, the OWRB and related agencies now possess both the directive and tools necessary
to meet Oklahoma’s water challenges through revitalized and innovative water management and
protection programs. In all, accomplishments from the 2012 legislative session will accelerate
implementation of at least half of the eight priority recommendations included in the 2012 OCWP
Update (Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring; Water Supply Reliability; Water Conservation,
Efficiency, Recycling and Reuse; and Water Project and Infrastructure Funding). Additional
legislation providing for improved enforcement of water well drilling regulations and enhanced
floodplain management rules address at least two OCWP supporting recommendations.
Water for 2060 Advisory Council
With passage of the Water for 2060 Act (HB 3055), Oklahoma became the first state in the nation
to establish a bold, statewide goal of consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than is consumed
today. The OWRB has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors,
through the Corps’ Planning Assistance to State Program, to begin preliminary work required to
support the new Water for 2060 Advisory Council, chaired by the OWRB Executive Director.
The Council’s fifteen members—to be appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate—are charged with studying and recommending appropriate
water conservation practices, incentives, and educational programs to moderate statewide water
usage while preserving Oklahoma’s population growth and economic development goals. Council
meetings will commence once appointments are completed.
Passage of State Question 764
Passage of State Question 764 in November allows the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Program
to meet much of the state’s projected $82 billion water and wastewater financing need. The
new Water Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Reserve Fund, created through a constitutional
amendment approved by voters, essentially establishes a $300 million pledge of credit that enables
the OWRB to leverage funds in the bond market as water and sewer projects become ready for
construction. (continued on page 2)

It was great to return to Tulsa for the Governor’s Water Conference in
November. Once again, we had an extraordinary turnout and stimulating
discourse on Oklahoma’s water issues. Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr., and
Dayton Duncan, principle writer and co-producer of the newly released
Dust Bowl documentary, got the conference off to a wonderful start, and
our unique “roundtable” sessions highlighted a particularly diverse agenda.
It has been an eventful year since unanimous OWRB approval of the 2012
Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). Many
OCWP recommendations that originated from the public input process are
now being implemented due to tremendous support from Governor Fallin
4th Quarter 2012
Annual Report of OWRB
Activities for 2012
Initial OCWP Implementation
Water for 2060 Advisory Council
Passage of State Question 764
Water Monitoring and Analysis
Instream Flow Workgroup
OCWP Planning Guide
Water Use Permitting
Hydrologic Studies
Floodplain Management
Well Driller Program
Dam Safety
Water Quality Standards
Lake Rehabilitation
2012 Governor’s Water
Conference
Financial Assistance Programs
Legal Developments
FY 12 Expenditures/FY 13 Budget
Drought Update
(continued on page 2)
Annual Report of OWRB Activities for 2012
Initial Implementation of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan
State Legislative leaders responded positively to the 2012 Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive
Water Plan, providing both substantive water policy legislation and funding for implementation.
As a result, the OWRB and related agencies now possess both the directive and tools necessary
to meet Oklahoma’s water challenges through revitalized and innovative water management and
protection programs. In all, accomplishments from the 2012 legislative session will accelerate
implementation of at least half of the eight priority recommendations included in the 2012 OCWP
Update (Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring; Water Supply Reliability; Water Conservation,
Efficiency, Recycling and Reuse; and Water Project and Infrastructure Funding). Additional
legislation providing for improved enforcement of water well drilling regulations and enhanced
floodplain management rules address at least two OCWP supporting recommendations.
Water for 2060 Advisory Council
With passage of the Water for 2060 Act (HB 3055), Oklahoma became the first state in the nation
to establish a bold, statewide goal of consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than is consumed
today. The OWRB has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors,
through the Corps’ Planning Assistance to State Program, to begin preliminary work required to
support the new Water for 2060 Advisory Council, chaired by the OWRB Executive Director.
The Council’s fifteen members—to be appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate—are charged with studying and recommending appropriate
water conservation practices, incentives, and educational programs to moderate statewide water
usage while preserving Oklahoma’s population growth and economic development goals. Council
meetings will commence once appointments are completed.
Passage of State Question 764
Passage of State Question 764 in November allows the OWRB’s Financial Assistance Program
to meet much of the state’s projected $82 billion water and wastewater financing need. The
new Water Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Reserve Fund, created through a constitutional
amendment approved by voters, essentially establishes a $300 million pledge of credit that enables
the OWRB to leverage funds in the bond market as water and sewer projects become ready for
construction. (continued on page 2)